Azimuth instrument



P. D. TSUKALAS.

AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1913.

1 1 95,876. Patented Aug. 22, 19161 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 9, 1913..

Patenied Aug. 22, 1916.

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P. D. TSUKALAS.

AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-9. 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1 1 95,876 Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

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P. D. TSUKALAS.

AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION EILED JAN.9|1913 Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PELOPIDAS D. TSUKALAS, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA.

AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed January 9, 1913. Serial No. 741,021.

b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PnLornms D. TSUKA- me, a subject of the King of Greece, and resident of South Bethlehem, Northampton county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Azimuth Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved instrument for indicating the azimuth of celestial bodies.

Up to the present time the azimuth, viz., the angle comprised between the meridian and the vertical plane passing through the celestial body being observed, was calculated by the solution of the astronomical triangle, viz., the triangle having its angular points at the elevated pole of the heavens, the zenith of the observer and at the celestial body being observed.

Many tables are already constructed, in order to avoid the calculations. The latitude of the observer, the declination of the body and its hour-angle are entered in these tables.

The present invention has for one of its objects the construction of an instrument giving automatically at any moment the azimuth of the celestial bodies selected for observation.

Other objects and the novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the basis of the construction of'the instru-' ment. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the instrument, parts being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, a part thereof being broken away. Fig. 4C is a central vertical section on the line 1l of Fig. 2, illustratingthe adjusting mechanism for the spindles representing the vertical and the radius vector. Fig. 5 is a front view of the azimuth dial. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 4 showing in dotted lines the rack by which the vertical spindle is adjusted. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77 of Fig. 1 or on the line 77 of Fig. 2.

Thetheoretical basis of the instrument will now be explained, reference being had to Fig. 1 of the drawings. Suppose, P, P to be the axis of the heavens, K the center of the sphere of the heavens, E Q the equator, D D the parallel on which the celestial body runs-in its course through the sphere of the heavens, Z Z the vertical of the observer, Z the zenith of the observer, O O a plane normal to the vertical of the observer, viz., parallel to the celestial horizon of the observer. The plane P Z P will be the meridian of the observer. If A is the position of the celestial body being observed at a given moment, A K will be its radius vector. The plane Z K A will be the vertical plane of the body. It is evident that the intersection of this plane Z K A. with the horizontal plane O C will be the true bearing of the body.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple instrument which will give at any moment the direction of the line of intersection of these planes, and consequently the azimuth of the body. To obtain this object, suppose that by a clock mechanism a rotary movement is given to a bracket in such a way that this bracket will revolve at a regular rate of 360 in' twenty-four hours around an axis, this axis representing the axis P P of the heavens. Let it be assumed that the radius vector of the body is represented by a spindle, this spindle, which will hereafter be known as the radius vector spindle, being attached at one end on the above mentioned bracket and at the other end in the center K of the celestial sphere. Another spindle will represent the vertical of the observer. One end of this spindle, which will hereafter be known as the vertical spindle, will be attached at the point Z which represents the zenith, the other end will be attached to the center K.

If the two spindles are articulated on the center K in such a way as to be always in the same plane,'it is evident that the rotary movement of the bracket will cause a rotation of the vertical spindle. An indicating hand attached on the vertical spindle at the point Z, will show at any moment the position of the vertical plane Z K A and also the azimuth on a dial marked like a compass card.

Of course, it is assumed that the zenith Z and the vertical K Z will be maintained immovable.

It is evident that if the inclination of the vertical spindle is altered, the instrument can be regulated for the latitude of the observer. Also, if the inclination of the radius vector spindle is altered the instrument will be regulated for the declination of the celestial body.

The instrument embodying the invention in its most complete form comprises a suitable clock mechanism, not shown, furnished with a dial R indicating the time at a regular rate throughout the twenty-four hours of the day and night. The instrument comprises also a metallic are A mounted vertically on feet L L on a suitable base plate. The plane of the arc represents a meridian plane, in other words, a vertical plane taken through the Zenith and through the earths poles, this plane for the purpose of the observation being regarded as fixed. A stud G is adjustably fixed upon the metallic are A and may be moved to and fixed at the zenith point or vertically which may be found by graduations on the arc according to the latitude of the observers position. The adjustment of the stud G is affected by providing a guide slot H in the are A. The stud G is supported on a plate H furnished with a rack H on its inner surface having engagement with the pinion K supported on a spindle concentric with the dial K graduated in degrees latitude and supported on the casing in any suitable manner. A handwheel K is suitably mounted to turn a spindle which has a worm K at its inner end in mesh with a wormwheel K which latter is on the same spindle with the pinion K whereby the are H may be adjusted at any desired latitude. A graduated dial G such as the one shown in Fig. 5 is fixed on the stud G and a pointer G moves over the stud dial to indicate the azimuth at any instant.

A spindle G passes through the center of the stud G and at its end supports the pointer or indicating hand D The inner end of the spindle G is integral with a curved rod G connected rigidly to a ball F mounted so that its center corresponds to the center of the are A. The ball F is supported between the concave surfaces B and B which forms a socket so that the ball can turn in any direction. The concave surface B is supported from the are A by means of the forked member 13 and the concave member B is supported from the base by the pillar B. The ball F is also provided with a groove or slot F extending diametrically into the same beyond the center and in the same plane as the point of attachment of the curved rod G.

In the slot is pivoted centrally of the ball a telescopic rod F D capable of attachment at its opposite end to any desired point on a bracket, or its equivalent D D which by the clock mechanism, is revolved around the vertical axis of the ball F at the regular rate of 360 in twenty-four hours. The telescope rod F 2 D represents the radius vector of the body being observed and is adjusted according to the declination when the instrument is set by raising or lowering its point of attachment. In this instrument as illustrated this is effected in the following way: the bracket D consists of an arm carried on a sleeve D which sleeve D is adapted to slide on a sleeve C to which it is connected by the feather C The sleeve 0 is free to turn on the pillar B and the sleeve D may be raised or lowered on the pillar B to give adjustment to the declination of the spindle I by means of external teeth 011 the sleeve D engaging with a pinion D on a spindle E which carries also a worm wheel FF, which can be turned by a worm E on a shaft E provided with a hand wheel E, the whole being carried on a bracket E see Fig. 7. E is a dial on the spindle E graduated for degrees declination. The rotation of the sleeve G is effected by bevel gearing O, O driven by clockwork, not shown. As the clockwork revolves the bracket to which the radius vector arm is attached, the latter turns the ball and the ball by means of the curved bar fixed thereto turns the hand G of the compass dial where the azimuth of the body being observed may be read at any moment.

The same instrument is not of necessity available for observation in all latitudes, structural modifications being required to 1 make instruments suitable according to extremes of latitudes in which the instrument may be used.

It is advisable to have the clock mechanism capable of disconnection from the bracket and from the hands of the hour-dial so as to allow these hands to be put to the right hour, in case of their being fast or slow. Of course, the hands of the hour-dial must bein constant connection with the bracket.

It is not necessary to provide the instrument with a clockwork and in that case the clockwork can be replaced by any device movable by hand which will turn the parts to the proper position in accordance with the time at which the reading is being taken.

Various modifications are contemplated in the foregoing structure and it is therefore not intended that the invention be limited to the exact details as shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an element adapted to rotate about a fixed axis, a slotted spherical means centered in said fixed axis and adapted to 1'0- tate about a second axis intersecting said 139 fixed axis, a device connected to said element and also pivoted at the center of said slotted spherical means, said device being adapted to move along the slot of said spherical means as said element rotates whereby the spherical means is rotated.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an element adapted to rotate through a complete revolution about a fixed axis, a spherical means centered in said fixed axis and adapted to rotate about a second axis intersecting said fixed axis, a spindle connected to' said spherical means and adapted to be rotated thereby, a dial and a pointer for indicating the movement of said spindle by said spherical means, and a device connecting said element to said spherical means whereby the spherical means may be rotated as said element rotates through a complete revolution.

3. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of an element adapted to be rotated about a fixed axis at a uniform speed through a complete revolution in twenty-four hours and adapted to be adjusted to a predetermined declination, a slotted spherical device centered in said axis and adapted to rotate about a second axis intersecting said fixed axis and adjustable to a predetermined latitude, a spindle connected to said spherical device and adapted to rotate about said second axis, a dial, a pointer movable by said spindle and adapted to indicate the azimuth on said dial, and means having one end pivoted at the center of said spherical device and the other end connected to said element, whereby the spherical device and said spindle may be rotated by said element.

a. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle movable along the arc and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a spherical device rigidly connected to the spindle and mounted at the center of the are, said spherical device having a slot therein, a member pivoted at the center of the spherical device and movable in said slot, means for rotating said pivoted member at a uniform rate whereby said spindle connected to the spherical device is rotated, and means whereby said pivoted member may be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of declination.

5. In an engineering instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, an element adapted to be moved on said are to a position corresponding to a predetermined latitude, a dial supported on said element, a spindle mounted in the element having a pointer attached thereto movable over the dial, and means adapted to rotate the spindle at a rate corresponding to the change in azimuth.

6. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, an element mounted for movement along the arc and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, a spindle journaled in said arc and rotatable with respect thereto, a dial and pointer, one mounted on the spindle, the other on said element, and adapted to move relatively to one another to indicate the azimuth, and means for rotating said spindle comprising a member pivoted in the axis of the spindle and adapted to be rotated at a uniform rate, and a means actuated thereby to rotate the spindle.

7 In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, an element movable along the arc and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, a spindle supported by said element and rotatable with respect thereto and also about the center of the are, a dial and pointer mounted on the element and spindle respectively and arranged to have relative movement to indicate the azimuth, and means for rotating said spindle comprising a member pivoted at the center of said arc and adapted to be rotated at a uniform rate, means for adjusting said member to positions corresponding to different declinations, and a means actuated by said member to rotate said spindle.

8. In' an azimuth instrument, the combination of a vertically arranged are, a device movable along the arc, a dial supported on said device, a spindle mounted to rotate with respect to said device and about an axis through the center of the are, a pointer secured to the spindle and movable over the dial, a member supported at the center of the arc and free to move about an axis corresponding to the axis of said spindle, said spindle being rigidly connected to said mem ber, and V means for rotating said spindle comprising a part jointed to said member and rotatabl about the vertical axis of said are.

9. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a vertically arranged arc, a member movable along the arc and adapted to be adjusted at a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, a spindle rotatably supported on said member, a dial supported on said member at right angles to said spindle, a pointer secured to the spindle and movable over the dial, a substantially spherical member supported at the center of the arc and free to move about an axis intersecting the vertical axis of the arc, an arm connected tothe center of the spherical member, means for adjusting the position of said arm and means for rotating the same.

10. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a vertically arranged are, a spindle movable along the arc and adjustable at a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, a spherical element supported at the center of the arc and tree to move about an axis intersecting the vertical axis of the arc, and means for moving the spherical element comprising a member rotatable about the vertical axis of the arc and jointed to the spherical element.

11. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle movable along the arc and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a spherical element rigidly connected to the spindle at one side of the axis thereof and mounted at the center of the arc, the said spherical element having a slot therein, a member pivoted at the center of the spherical element and movable in said slot and means for rotating said pivoted member at a uniform rate whereby said spindle connected to the spherical element is rotated.

12. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a vertically arranged arc, a part movable along the arc and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, a spindle mounted to rotate with respect to said part about an axis passing through the center of the are, a dial mounted on said part and at right angles to the axis of the spindle, a pointer movable over the dial and secured to move with the spindle, a spherical element suitably supported at the center of the arc and free to move about the axis of said spindle in any adjusted position, said spindle being rigidly connected to the spherical element at one side of the axis of the spindle, said spherical element having a slot therein, an arm pivoted at the center of the spherical element and adapted to move in said slot, a sleeve supported for rotation about the vertical axis of the are, means for adjusting the sleeve to a predetermined declination, a bracket secured to the sleeve and rotatable therewith, and a suitable connection between the bracket and said arm pivoted in the spherical element.

13. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable are, a spindle, a segmental rack secured to the spindle, means for moving the rack to set the spindle at any desired position of latitude on said are, a dial supported at right angles to the spindle and concentric therewith, a pointer movabl over the dial, and with the spindle, means for rotating the spindle comprising an element adapted to be adjusted at a predetermined declination and a rotatable means connecting said element and spindle.

14:. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle movable along the arc and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a dial supported at right angles to the spindle and concentric therewith, a pointer movable over the dial and secured to the spindle, and means for rotating the spindle comprising a sleeve rotatable about the vertical axis of the arc, and adjustable to a predetermined declination, and means for connecting the sleeve with the spindle.

15. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle corresponding to the vertical of the observer and movable along the arc, and adapted to be set in a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a dial mounted at right angles to the spindle and concentric therewith, a pointer movable over the dial and with the spindle, an element corresponding to the radius vector of the body being observed, jointed to the spindle and adapted when rotated to rotate said spindle, means for rotating said radius vector spindle and means for adjusting the same for a predetermined declination.

16. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle corresponding to the vertical of the observer and adapted to be moved along said are and set at a position corresponding to the degree of latitude, said spindle being rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a spherical element at the center of the sphere, means supporting said spherical element so that it may be rotated about the axis of said spindle at any adjusted position of the same, said spherical element having a slot extending into the same, said spindle being rigidly connected to said spherical element, a member pivoted within the spherical element and extending out through said slot, means for adjusting and rotating said member comprising a sleeve adjustable to a predetermined degree of declination, and rotatable about the principal axis of the arc, a bracket secured to the sleeve and a part jointed to the bracket and to the member pivoted in the spherical element.

17. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a slotted arc, a part movable in the slot and arranged to be positioned at a predetermined degree of latitude, a spindle rotatably supported on said part and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, a dial supported on said part and at right angles to the axis of the spindle, a pointer secured to the spindle, an arm rotatable at a uniform rate and adjustable to a predetermined degree of declination, and means for connecting the said spindle and arm.

18. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a suitable arc, a spindle movable along the arc and adapted to be set at a position corresponding to a predetermined degree of latitude, means for indicating the movement of said spindle, an arm rotatable about the principal aXis of the arc, means for adjusting said arm to a predetermined degree of declination, connections between said arm and spindle comprising a pillar, a socket arranged on the pillar, a spherical element supported in said socket, and at the center of the arc.

19. In an azimuth instrument, the combination of a slotted vertically arranged arc, a stud fitting in the slot and movable along the arc, a rack secured to the stud and movable along the interior of said arc, means for adjusting said rack and the stud to a position corresponding to a predetermined de- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing gree of latitude, a spindle rotatably supported in said stud and rotatable about an axis passing through the center of the arc, means for indicating the position of the spindle, and means for rotating the spindle comprising an element adapted to be adjusted at a predetermined degree of declination and an element connecting said spindle With said means.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

PELOPIDAS D. TSUKALAS. Witnesses:

EDWIN A. MILLER, E. GRANT Tron.

the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

